NASA'S inspector general has indicated that Boeing's Starliner crew capsule is likely to be delayed until next year for operational certification, which is nearly a decade behind its original 2017 target. This delay comes as the timeline for the ISS's operation is uncertain, with Congress pushing for an extension to 2032.
The inspector general's report includes six agreements from NASA to improve scheduling and documentation of technical issues following the capsule's Crew Flight Test in 2024, where Starliner had multiple failures leading to a nine-month delay for the crew's return. Unresolved issues include helium leaks and parachute anomalies, and NASA may need additional SpaceX flights for crew transportation until Starliner is certified. The agency has faced escalating costs and schedule conflicts while striving to ensure safety and compliance in its Commercial Crew Program.